Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats.
Kolik. L G LG; Nadorova. A V AV; Antipova. T A TA; Kruglov. S V SV; Kudrin. V S VS; Durnev. A D AD
Key Findings
- Selank (0.3 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) improved performance on an object‑recognition test in healthy rats.
- When rats drank 10% ethanol for 30 weeks, Selank prevented the memory and attention deficits that appeared during alcohol withdrawal.
- Selank blocked the ethanol‑induced increase in BDNF levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
Practical Outcomes
- The data suggest Selank might have short‑term cognitive‑boosting and neuroprotective effects, especially in the context of alcohol‑related brain stress. However, the study was done in rats, used injectable dosing, and did not address safety or dosing for humans, so biohackers would need more human research before adding Selank to any self‑experiment protocol.
Summary
In a rat study, a short 7‑day course of the peptide Selank (given by injection) helped normal rats think better and stopped memory problems caused by long‑term heavy drinking. The drug also kept levels of a brain protein called BDNF from rising too much in key brain areas.
Abstract
The effects of a peptide anxiolytic Selank synthesized on the basis of the endogenous peptide tuftsin on memory impairment and content of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain structures were analyzed in outbred rats receiving 10% ethanol as the only source of fluid for 30 weeks. In the object recognition test, Selank (0.3 mg/kg a day, 7 days, intraperitoneally) produced a cognitive-stimulating effect in 9 months rats not exposed to ethanol (p<0.05) and prevented the formation of ethanol-induced memory and attention disturbances (p<0.01) developing during alcohol withdrawal. In ex vivo experiments, Selank prevented ethanol-induced increase in BDNF content in the hippocampus and frontal cortex (p<0.05). These results indicate positive effects of the tuftsin analogue on age-related memory disturbances associated with chronic alcohol intoxication and confirm the involvement of the neurotrophin mechanism related to BDNF production into the effect of Selank.
Study Information
pubmed
2019
2019-10-17T00:00:00.000Z
10.1007/s10517-019-04588-9
6
14